Antique Snowmobiles Come Out of Retirement

Jon Dorman’s 1965 Polaris Super Mountaineer (number one of just 30 built) was one of several antique snowmobiles displayed at a September show.

Leslie C. McManus

A Polaris Sno-Traveler ad from Aaron Kelly’s collection.

The Sportsline L-55, the smallest snowmobile Polaris built, and the company’s first real entry into the recreational equipment market. This one is owned by Aaron Kelly.

Leslie C. McManus

Russell Willis’ 1953 Eliason is powered by an 8 hp Briggs & Stratton engine. Previous models were steered with a lever; the 1953 model featured a steering wheel. Production of Eliason Snow Toboggans ended that year.

Leslie C. McManus

This 1941 Eliason Snow Toboggan, from the collection of Russell Willis, Hopedale, Ill., is an unrestored original, totally complete. A collector since 1987, Russell is a snowmobile veteran. “My two boys collect with me, and we collect anything to do with snowmobiles,” he says. “It’s mostly a winter thing, but there are shows and swap meets all year.”

Leslie C. McManus

Produced for two years, the Polaris Mustang was equipped with a JLO 252 cc, 8 hp Kohler or Hirth 300 cc 2-stroke engine. This 1965 Mustang is part of Aaron Kelly’s collection.

Leslie C. McManus

Aaron Kelly drove 900 miles in one day to buy this 1965 Arctic Cat 100. “It’s pretty rough,” he admits, “but it does have a tag.”

Leslie C. McManus

This 1966 Arctic Cat 100 is Aaron Kelly’s “Old Reliable.” “It has a Kohler 8 hp 4-stroke engine,” he says. “It’s just so simple. It’s been radar-checked at 31 mph on ice.” Aaron’s collection includes 23 machines as well as sleds and sleighs.

Leslie C. McManus

Aaron Kelly's 1965 Polaris Mustang from the front.

Leslie C. McManus

The Polaris Sno-Traveler logo.

Leslie C. McManus

Jon Dorman and his 1963 Polaris Ranger with 10 hp Kohler engine with reversing transmission. Jon has built a bit of a reputation for his mastery of reverse ovals in vintage snowmobile racing. “Sometimes you can go faster in reverse than you can forward,” he says with a smile.

Leslie C. McManus

A model of a Polaris Sno-Traveler built by Kevin Lehse, Fair Haven, Minn.

Leslie C. McManus

Demonstration of an early snowmobile, from a poster displayed at Mt. Pleasant.